This blog was created for Niles Animal Hospital & Bird Medical Center by Peter S. Sakas DVM in an effort to provide information & discussion about animal related issues. It may move into some eccentric directions on occasion if the mood strikes me as I get more comfortable in this form of communication. I am open to suggestions & comments about the blog. Also view our hospital website www.nilesanimalhospital.com or Facebook page Niles Animal Hospital and Bird Medical Center.

Over roughly a two week period, March 16-26, almost 80% of the samples tested for Canine Influenza in the Chicago and Chicago suburbs area were positive. This resulted in 34 positive cases, according to a recent Merck press release to the veterinary community. This a highly contagious virus, with symptoms which can mimic other, more benign respiratory infections.

With families traveling for the weekend, there is a concern the CIV will spread. Please advise dog owners who are traveling to keep their dogs separated from all dogs. Dog owners visiting Chicago should not take their dogs with them.

Also, please notify dog owners who are traveling from Chicago to keep their dogs separate from all other dogs, including those of other family members. If exposure occurs, the current recommendation is for a 3 week home quarantine period. Dog owners from other regions are encouraged not to bring their dog with them if they are traveling to Chicago. If they must, they should avoid all areas where dogs may gather such as dog parks, dog beaches, groomers, dog daycare and kennels.

If any dogs become ill with signs of Canine Influenza, dog owners are strongly encouraged to advise the local veterinarians that their dog may have been exposed to the virus.

Veterinarians are encouraged to be cautious over the next several weeks when dogs are presenting with "kennel cough" symptoms. They are encouraged to inquire about pet travel as well. A non-core vaccine is also available for this disease.

As a refresher, signs of CIV include:

A dry hacking coughCoughing up a white, foamy phlegmLethargyVomitingLack of appetiteRunny noseRapid breathingFever

Veterinary clinics are encouraged to share information with their clients who maybe traveling with their dog on precautions and symptoms of CIV.

11 comments:

Wow, this dog disease bug seems pretty destructive! I can't believe that 80 percent of the canines had this influenza virus. I'm not exactly sure what you can do to get your dog healthy again when they have that virus. What medicines and vaccines would an animal hospital give a dog if they had that virus?http://www.howardcountyveterinarian.com

Supportive care is the key. There are no specific anti-viral treatments for the virus. Antibiotics are helpful as they will protect against any secondary bacterial infections. Identifying the condition (or any severe respiratory disease) early and starting treatment is the best opportunity to prevent severe illness.

Wow, I am really glad that my dog didn't catch the flu during this outbreak. We don't live in Chicago, but we live pretty close to it. I'm glad that I was able to find this out now. I'll have to make sure that we don't take him out in public for a couple of weeks more. http://metzgeranimal.com

I have been hearing a so much about this Canine Influenza outbreak lately. That is rather shocking to hear that in Chicago that close to 80% of test samples came back positive. I've got a few dogs, and I don't live in Chicago. However, I am thinking I might take my dogs to get tested. How much would it cost to either have the dogs tested or immunized against this Canine Inluenza?http://ricelakeanimalhospitalinc.com/

Depends upon the veterinarian. There is a canine influenza vaccination for H3N8, the current outbreak is H3N2. However, although the vaccination is not specific for this exact virus causing the outbreak, there will be some cross reactivity which would afford some protection. The cost of the vaccine obviously will vary with the veterinarian.....two vaccinations are required two weeks apart.

I agree with you guys, I'm really glad that my dog didn't catch the flu during this outbreak. That would have been really hard to have to deal with. I would hate to see my dog Baxter have to go through that. http://www.munsteranimal.com/

I really appreciate that you've supplied a list of the warning signs of dog flu. Every once in a while, my dog acts differently and it makes me sort of paranoid. The last thing anyone should have to deal with is a dog that is absolutely sick.http://www.svg-vets.com

I really appreciate that you've supplied a list of the warning signs of dog flu. Every once in a while, my dog acts differently and it makes me sort of paranoid. The last thing anyone should have to deal with is a dog that is absolutely sick.http://www.svg-vets.com

Well, leaving the dogs in a boarding facility this memorial day. I will be traveling to Chicago to be with family, and I don't want them getting sick. Is there some special cleaning or something I should do to my clothes when I come back so I don't infect my dogs, or would just doing my laundry like normal work just fine?